ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan will spare no effort to further strengthen relations with Iran.
Qureshi who had travelled to the UAE before leaving for Iran released a video message on Tuesday on the occasion of his third official visit to Iran and thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for its full support to Pakistan.
“Iran has supported us not only as a neighbour and brother of Pakistan, but always and in all circumstances also, and we appreciate Iran’s positions and support,” said Qureshi.
He noted that he will hold talks with senior Iranian officials on the latest developments in the region, diplomacy on Afghan peace, development of bilateral relations, especially the expansion of trade and border cooperation.
“Iran, like Pakistan, is an important player in the region in the Afghanistan issue, and participation in the peace process is very important for both countries,” he added.
Appreciating the constant support of the officials of Iran, especially the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, to the Muslims of the subcontinent and the support of the positions of the Pakistan government, he said, “The trip to Tehran will be a good opportunity for bilateral consultations and adjustment of the positions of the two brother countries on regional developments.”
“We will also talk to the Iranian officials about bilateral trade, especially the plan to build border markets, which the Iranian side has welcomed and will continue to do,” Qureshi noted. He added that his country will spare no effort to further strengthen relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Tuesday, announcing Qureshi’s upcoming visit to Tehran.
“Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi will undertake an official visit to Iran on 20-22 April 2021 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Dr. Javad Zarif,” the statement read.
“During the visit, the Foreign Minister will have delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Zarif. He will also call on President Dr Hassan Rouhani and Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The Foreign Minister will also visit the city of Mashhad.”
“During the delegation-level talks, the two foreign ministers would review bilateral relations with a view to further deepening cooperation in diverse fields. The two sides will discuss the regional security situations including the latest developments in the Afghan Peace Process and the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. They will also deliberate on strengthening regional cooperation under the umbrella of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).”
Foreign Minister Qureshi’s visit to Iran is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. Foreign Minister Zarif visited Pakistan in November 2020 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Qureshi, while the two foreign ministers met on 30 March 2021 on the sidelines of the 9th session of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Foreign Minister Qureshi last visited Iran in January 2020.”
Qureshi’s regional tour to four countries, including Islamic Republic of Iran, began yesterday with a focus on strengthening bilateral relations and consensus to advance Afghan peace process.
